Connecticut western news., 1887-08-10
AN AFRICAN QUEEN.
The Dusky Ruler of Savages on
 the Upper Zambesi.
A Picturesque Scene Witnessed
 By Missionary.

The position of women ill Africa is as degraded as in most other savage lands, and life is round of toll to the weaker sex in nearly all parts of the continent. Here and there, however, is a native queen who has absolute influence over her people and who surrounds herself with as much pomp and circumstance as her position permits. Mir. .sCoillard, the French Protestant missionary who saved the life of Serpa Pinto during that trav- eler's trip across the continent, has sent home few facts about picturesque fc- male who holds sway over the savage barotsc on the Upper zambcsi.
 One day recently Queen Mokuae went on an excursion to the tombs of her fathers. She was expected to return to her chief town two or three days later, l and on the appointed day everybody was alert to hear the first sound announcing the approach of the royal party. Sud denly the measured beat of drums was faintly heard. "She is coming! The Queen is coming!' The cry went through the town, and several thousand men, women and children lined the banks of the broad Zambesi and gazed down the watery expanse. The sound of drums grew louder, and soon the royal barge and the attending fleet came into view.
 Under pavilion made of a gaudily- colored native mat sat the Queen in full view of her subjects. Forty paddles swiftly propelled her great canoe up the stream. As she came opposite the town the women and girls, who were ranged in line on shore, began to intone chant which struck Mr. Coillard as full of weird beauty. It recited the praise of Queen Mokuae At last the prov of the Queens barge struck the shore, and the crowds of men who lined the way from the rivers edge to the Queens mansion, instantly dropped on their knees and be- gan to clasp their hands, keeping time to the beat of the drum.
 The Queen stepped out of her barge. She was in gala dress for the occasion. Over her shoulders she wore bright colored Indian robe, and several strings of beads and ornaments of ivory encir- cled herZneek and large white pearls were arranged with care in her hair. She saluted the white man with wave of her hand, but appeared to pay no attention to her subjects. A process sion was instantly formed with the na- tive band at its head The musicians wore suspended from their nccks the in- struments known as serimbas, which are long gourds, on which are strung chords of different lengths, which gave 8 vari- l ety of sounds when struck with drum sticks. As the procession started the musicians struck up and did not cease l playing until the Queen withdrew into her apartments.
 Behind the band walked the Queen, and considerable distance behind her the royal suite and the oarsmen of her fleet. As they passed along the populace 1 fell into line, and 50 the long procession marched until they reached the Queens abode. Then the master of ceremonies spread on the ground lions skin, on which the Queen took her stand. The royal suite approached within about a hundred feet, ranged themselves in line before the Queen, lifted their hands to- wards the sky, crying 'Loche! Loche!" and then prostrated themselves in the dust
 Next the boatnen went through the same ceremony, and then the populace in detachments paid their respects to their ruler i'll the same manner; after them the visitors in the village and finally Mr. Coillard's own boatmen. Then the Queen disappeared within her house, and soon after, surrounded by her young. women, gave an audience to the white man. She had a wheezy accordeon, over whose keys she ran her fingers with surprising agility, and she played a curious medley of savage airs. She was very proud of her musical mplishments, which, however, did not greatly impress her visitor.
 Mr. Coillard has been permitted to es- tablish mission in this town, where he says many picturesque scenes only serve to conceal all the horrors of organism and the grossest and most revolting superstitions.